Shedding device for weaving machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shedding device for a weaving machine which consists of a rotatably operable cylindrical member formed of a series of parallel spaced-apart disclike sections; each section is adapted for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis and is provided with warp lifting portions extending for a predetermined arc about the axis. The disclike sections may be assembled on the axle in a variety of combinations in order to produce a great variety of patterns.

United States Patent PATENEusfmlsn 3,'604'468 SHEET 1 0F 4 FIG. 4 F/G. 5

INVENTORS Geza SMO Agnes SJO LERNER 8 BEHR ATTORNEYS PATENTED sfmmn 3,504,458

' snm 2 uf 4 IN VEN TORS Gua SAJO Agnes SAJO LERNER 81 BEHR ATTORNEYS PATENEU Sim 4197: 3504453 sHE 3 aF INVENTORS Geza SMU Agnes SMO LERNER 8 BEHR ATTORNEYS INVENTORS GEZA SA JO BYAGNES SAJO ATTORNEYS SI-IEDDING DEVICE FOR WEAVING MACHINE This invention relates to a weaving machine, and more particularly to a type of shed-regulating mechanism.

The object of the invention is to produce an entirely new type of shed-regulating device, by the use of a specially con structed rotatably operable cylinder in place of harnesses and treadles. This system, which can be either fixed or variable is equivalent to four or more of such harnesses.

The main advantage of this invention is that in a very simple structure, one is able to produce a great variety of patterns, ranging from plain tabby to the most complicated pattern weaves. Previously such weaving could not be done without a four or more harness loom.

Another advantage of the present invention is the simplicity of threading, which is performed by laying the warp threads in successive slots in the cylinder, a simpler and much faster process than threading conventional heddles. A further advantage is the simplicity of transposition of the warp threads, an operation which is either tedious or impossible with conventional heddles. Another advantage in relation to conventional looms is its entirely noiseless operation.

A still further advantage is that this invention can be variable in one particular form, the cylinder being constructed of a multiplicity of separate discs which can be assembled on an axle in sequence, in a variety of combinations, according to the pattern intended. The separate discs can also be assembled in varying sequences to produce different patterns in different sections across the fabric. Alternatively the cylinder can be of solid form, with slots cut therein.

The four-rhythmic weaving cylinder can be produced in two different ways, the first one being a stable four rhythmic cylinder, and the second one, which is composed of a number of separate plates or discs, is variable.

In the drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

FIG. I depicts a side elevation of the invention showing the alternate positions of the warp elevators of a stable fourrhythmic cylinder;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of an elevator in its first quadrant;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view of an elevator in its second quadrant;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view of an elevator in its third quadrant;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of an elevator in its fourth quadrant;

FIG. 6 represents a sectional side elevation of another embodiment of the invention using variable discs which are to be interlockingly attached to one another;

FIG. 7 is a plan elevation of one disc of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 showing the warp-elevating studs and recesses and more particularly the axial drive embodiment;

FIG. 8 represents a plan elevation of the front side of the embodiment of the above described discs, with the cross section of the axle; and

F Ig. 9 represents a plan elevation of the rear side of the same disc.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of 3 discs of FIGS. 8 and 9 mounted on a common axis.

Whereas in FIG. I, we embody a cylindrical heddle l0 embodying a quadraceptal cam l1 and several cams at sequential quadrants, in FIGS. 2-5, reference 12 shows a cam in the first quadrant, reference 13 shows a cam in the second quadrant, reference I4 shows a cam in the third quadrant, and reference 15 shows a cam in the fourth quadrant.

The variable four-rhythmic cylinder is composed of any number of separate discs made of plastic (or possibly any other suitable material) set on an axle. All these discs are exactly equal in size and shape, and can be arranged on the axle in different positions, according to the wishes of the weaver, thus producing an infinite variety of weaves.

on one side of a disc, and reference 22 shows one of the cams' on the other side of the same disc which serve to elevate the warp. Reference 23 represents the axle activating the embodi-- ment. Reference 24 shows the interlocking central portion on the front side of the disc and its fastening recess on the other side.

On each end of the axle is fixed a socket with Acrank handles to hold the discs together on the cylinder. These discs are so made that they can be fitted closely together on the axle by means of the studs and recesses as by a dowel and groove system. When placed together a small space is left between each disc, providing a channel for the warp threads. When strung together on the axle, they form the variable fourrhythmic cylinder, which can then be placed in position in the bearings of a frame. The bearings are so adjusted that the cylinder can easily be removed and put back in place when desired. This is necessary when the order of the discs is to be changed, at which time the cylinder is taken from its bearings, the socket removed from one end and the discs pulled off from the axle. They are then strung back again in a different order to form a new pattern. The socket is then replaced and the cylinder returned in its bearings.

Both types of cylinders can be turned either by hand with its handles, or with foot by means of a treadle transmission. In the bearings of both types of cylinder, convenient spring brakes can be encased, preventing any further turning of the cylinder after each quarter turn.

The four sectors of each disc are numbered l,2,3,4. These numbers mark the four different positions of the respective discs for arrangement on the axle. The discs can be strung successively in various order on the axle, thus producing the variable factor of the four-rhythmic variable cylinder.

The standard" order of arrangement on the axle may be as follows:

When the lst disc is in position 1, the 2nd disc is in position 2, the 3rd disc is in position 3, and the 4th disc is in position 4.

When the discs are arranged in this standard or natural order, a diagonal weave is obtained by turning the cylinder forward or backward a quarter turn, the forward movement producing a diagonal to one direction, and the backward movement producing a diagonal to the opposite direction. When the cylinder is turned either forward or backward in two quarter turn (i.e., a half turn) a plain weave is produced.

When all the discs are arranged on the axle in this standard order, the work produced on this variable four-rhythmic cylinder will be the same as that produced on a stable fourrhythmic cylinder described above, namely a diagonal or a plain weave.

But because our variable four-rhythmic cylinder is constructed of a number of separate plates or discs in juxtaposition on an axle, it is possible to arrange the discs in sections of different order, and thus produce a variety of patterns.

For example, when the order of arrangement in one section would be 1,2,3,4-l,2,3,4 etc. and in another section the discs would be placed in inverse order 4,3,2,l4,3,2,1 etc., in this case a diagonal weave running to one direction can be produced in the first section, and a diagonal weave running to the opposite direction in the second section, by turning the cylinder a quarter turn. By changing the direction of the movement of the cylinder, the pattern will then run in the opposite direction.

The four-rhythmic variable cylinder can be constructed also in a way that the relative position of the discs to one another could be changed without pulling them off from their axle. ln this case, instead of a square axle, we use a cylindrical axle in which lengthwise, in an angle of from one another four narrow grooves are engraved, and in the four quadrants (or at least in one of them) of the interlocking central portion of each of the discs a tiny spring stud is encased, which turning the disc away on the axle from one position into another, locks it in the respective desired quadrant by means of the grooves engraved in the axle. That the discs should be switched easily to another desired position, in each quadrant a pull is formed on their rim. The recess for the warp-elevating studs or protrusion will be running in a concentricv circular shape on the rear side ofthe disc.

ln FIG. 8, reference 26 shows the interlocking central portion, reference 28 shows the warp-elevating protrusion, reference 30 shows one of the tiny spring studs encased in the interlocking central portion, reference 32 shows the cross section of the axial drive embodiment with its engraved grooves, and reference 34 shows one of the four switching pulls.

In FIG. 9, reference 36 shows the same switching pull 34 from the other side, reference 38 shows the recess ofthe interlocking central portion 26, reference 40 shows the recess of the warp-elevating protrusion 28, reference 42 shows the central perforation for the axle.

In FIG. three discs of FIG. 8 and 9 are shown on a grooved cylindrical shaft 50 having grooves 52 therein into which studs 30 will fit. lt will be seen that the warping protrusion 28 thus fits into recess 40 and central portion 26 fits into recess 38. By acting on the switching pull 34/36 the discs may be rotated about shaft 50 so that protrusion 28 may be located in any desired quadrant without disassembly of the device. The discs are shown in contact. It will be clear that the mutual spacing of the discs may be adjusted to accommodate the threads.

We claim:

l. A shedding device for a weaving machine, comprising: a

shaft, a cylindrical member adapted to be rotated about said f shaft, said member consisting of a series of parallel spacedapart discs assembled on said shaft, each disc having opposed faces, one face thereof having an angularly disposed protrusion extending across the space between adjacent discs, the protrusion forming a warp-lifting portion and extending in a predetermined arc about said shaft within the circumference of said disc, the other face of each disc having an annular recess coaxial with said shaft and spaced thereabout so that the protrusion of the adjacent related disc is partially received within said annular recess; cach of said discs further including spring-biased securing means for interlocking said disc in said shaft and for individually changing the relative position of anyone of the adjacent discs without removing the discs from the shaft or replacing the cylindrical member on the weaving machine. 

1. A shedding device for a weaving machine, comprising: a shaft, a cylindrical member adapted to be rotated about said shaft, said member consisting of a series of parallel spaced-apart discs assembled on said shaft, each disc having opposed faces, one face thereof having an angularly disposed protrusion extending across the space between adjacent discs, the protrusion forming a warplifting portion and extending in a predetermined arc about said shaft within the circumference of said disc, the other face of each disc having an annular recess coaxial with said shaft and spaced thereabout so that the protrusion of the adjacent related disc is partially received within said annular recess; each of said discs further including spring-biased securing means for interlocking said disc in said shaft and for individually changing the relative position of anyone of the adjacent discs without removing the discs from the shaft or replacing the cylindrical member on the weaving machine. 